Queen says it's 'extraordinary' to meet 2nd Prime Minister Trudeau

Justin Trudeauwas atBuckingham Palace today tomeetthe Queen.

She greeted thenew Canadian prime minister by saying it was "nice to see you again ... but under different circumstances."

"I will say, you were much taller than me the last time we met," replied Trudeau, who now towers over the monarch he first met as a child travelling with his father and prime minister at the time,PierreTrudeau.

"Well, this is extraordinary to think of, isn't it," the Queen replied with a laugh.

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The audience at the palace ishis first stop on a week-long international trip that includes a midday speech to guestsat Canada House, followed by an afternoonmeeting with British Prime Minister David Cameron.

Trudeauwill also attend the Commonwealth heads of government meetingin Maltathatstarts on Friday,and attend the first day of the Paris climate summit next week.

"So now you're having a verybusy time," the Queen said toTrudeau, as cameras recorded the early moments of their meeting.

"Just a little bit,"Trudeausaid. "But it's a good one. There's a tremendous positive energy."

"Good. Well, come geta seat," she said, gesturing towards two chairs near the fireplace. Those with cameras were then escorted out.

The prime ministeris travelling with his wife, Sophie Grgoire-Trudeau, his daughter,Ella-Grace, andyoungest son,Hadrien, who joinedhim for his meeting with the Queen.

Most of audience secret

The media pool travelling with the prime minister was not allowed inside the Queen's apartment to record their entireconversation, which is confidential.

The tone between Trudeau and the Queenwas evidently friendly.

Canadian prime ministers always have an audience with the monarch afterthey're elected. But Trudeau is the only prime minister who has a history with the Royal Family.

"She was always lovely and gracious," Trudeausaid in a statement provided earlier to reporters covering the Buckingham Palace stop. "She was very tall, which points out how little I was at the time.

"They were nice moments because I knew how much my dad liked her. You could tell my father was really proud to be introducing his son to the Queen."

Trudeau's wife and children, as well ashis senior political adviser and close friend, Gerald Butts, waited in an antechamber during his audience.

The rest of the family met the Queen after their private discussion.

TheQueen is well known for hergrasp of Canadian politics and history. She met with Pierre Trudeau several timeswhile he was prime minister and reportedlyenjoyed his company.

Speech highlights diversity

Trudeau also went tothe Canadian High Commission. About250 invited guests heard his speech at Canada House, including Bank of England governor (and former Bank of Canada governor) Mark Carney.

The Queen was "gracious and insightful, with a unique and valuable perspective," Trudeautold the crowd, according to the CBC's Rosemary Barton.

Trudeau's remarks highlighted Canada's success at building an open, diverse and inclusive society, a message crafted to respond to the currentlytense security situation following recent attacks by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

"As we renew our resolve to work with the international community to help prevent such attacks, and as we reaffirm our steadfast participation in the coalition against [ISIS],we must also recommit to building a world where diversity and difference are promoted and celebrated," Trudeau said.

The last election in Canada was about whether Canadians believe in those values, he said. Canada's pluralism is part of what defines it, he suggested, explaining that diversity overcomes hate.

Justin Trudeau on Canada's response to the Paris attacks at home

9 years ago

Duration 1:05

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau makes the case that diversity is at the core of Canadian values, especially in light of the recent Paris attacks, from Canada House in London.

He spoke of how as Canada opens its doors to more Syrians fleeing conflict in the coming weeks, "we are not just resettling refugees, we are welcoming new Canadians."

At the same time, his speech noted that for Canada'sindigenous peoples, the Canadian reality is still not easy, equitable or fair, Barton reports.

Bilateral meetingwith Cameron

Trudeau's first day in London concludedWednesdayafternoon with private talks at10 Downing Street with Cameron.

Prime ministers from Canada and the U.K. have generally gotten along well in the past. The two countries are some of the oldest and most stable continuous parliamentary democracies, and have a lot of common issues.

The two leaders discussed a range of topics, including climate change, trade,internationalsecurity andthe fight against ISIS, according to a media release. The meeting came just 12 days after the terrorist attacks inParis.

The meeting comes at a crucial time as Cameron is set to make the casethis week to the British Parliament that the U.K.should join other countriesbombing ISIS militants in Syria.

The newly elected Canadian government has pledged to withdraw its six fighterjets from the bombing mission against ISIS, but has promised to continue tosupport the mission with increased training on the ground.

As Trudeau left Downing Street Wednesday evening, he told reporters in French hisconversation with Cameronwas a "very good"one.

The two leaders will get a chance to talk again when they're at theCommonwealth heads of government meeting in Malta.

Justin Trudeau meets David Cameron at 10 Downing St.

9 years ago

Duration 1:56

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is welcomed by British Prime Minister David Cameron after the two discussed climate change and security in London.